Aquatics/Swim Lessons
For ages 6 months to 13 years
Swim Lesson offerings are published in each Spring brochure, which typically is available in late February.
Geneva Park District is an independent authorized provider of Starfish Swimming, a nationally recognized swim instruction curriculum developed by the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI). The Starfish Swimming curriculum is designed for students ages 6-months to 13-years. Benchmarks are established at each stage in the program that combines both swimming and safety skills. Students participate in experiential learning activities that allow them to explore the water in a creative and comfortable environment. Correct swimming techniques are taught from the very beginning, providing an easy transition to swim team.
Current Swim Lessons Offered – Sign Up Now
StarBabies™ & Startots™
Infant ages 6 months – 18 months with parent
The purpose of this course is to develop in very young children a high comfort level in the water while at the same time training the adults who accompany them in water safety and drowning prevention. This course does not teach children to become accomplished swimmers or to survive in the water; it does provide a confidence-building, fun, and loving experience. One adult must be in the water with each child. Swim Diapers required.
StarBabies™ & Startots™ Curriculum & Core Skills Achievement Stages |
Starfish Swim School™ for Preschool
Ages 3-5
Designed to meet the needs of children ages 3 to 5, this course will develop a high comfort level in the water and a readiness to swim, and for those children who are developmentally ready, it will teach functional swim skills. This class approaches teaching swimming through creative, fun activities in the water. Students work toward developing the five competencies and progress toward achieving the benchmarks at their own pace in a small-group setting.
Starfish Swim School™ Curriculum & Core Skills Achievement Stages |
Starfish Swim School™ for Youth
Ages 6-12
Students work toward development of the five core swimming competencies using age-appropriate learning activities. Learning is self-paced but challenging.
Starfish Swim School™ Curriculum & Core Skills Achievement Stages |
Starfish Stroke School™
All Ages
This course is for students of all ages who have achieved the green Swim School benchmarks. Students refine freestyle and learn stroke technique for backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and develop endurance.
Starfish Stroke School™ Curriculum & Core Skills Achievement Stages |
Parents Watching
We do allow parents to watch their children as they participate in swim lessons, however, we do
require that you stay on the north side of the pool deck away from the water (This is a zero
tolerance policy and no exceptions will be made). This policy is in place to help avoid parent
coaching and to insure that the participants’ attention is focused on the instructors. Parents
may sit at poolside during the first and last day of the session.
Class Cancellations
Always assume swim lessons will run. We strive to always run lessons to maximize the amount of
instructional time your child will have. However, the weather is at times not cooperative and
lessons may be cancelled. Class cancellations will be made 30 minutes prior to the start time.
If bad weather hits when classes are in the water, and the class is less than half over, we will
schedule a make-up class.
Lesson Cancellations are posted on our website in the Weather Corner.
Make-Up Lessons
In most cases classes run Monday-Friday during the first week of the session, and
Monday-Wednesday of the second week. We reserve the last two days of the second week for make-up
classes if necessary.
Lessons that are canceled by Geneva Park District that cannot be made up will result in a
prorated refund or free daily pool pass per child. No prorated refund will be issued for lessons
missed for personal reasons.
Communication
The Geneva Park District strives to communicate participant progress with parents through report
cards that will be distributed at the final lesson of each session. These report cards will
evaluate the child’s progress and inform the parent of skills that should be improved upon.
Parents are also welcome to ask the Swim Lesson Coordinator for a verbal progress report
throughout the session or by voicemail at 630-232-0747.
Class Structure
All swim lessons are taught in a structured group setting. The motivation and inspiration that students get from watching peers excel and learn new skills has proven to be a powerful tool in teaching children how to swim. All children will be given individual attention, but since it is in a group setting that cannot be constant.
First Day of Class
There will be a brief orientation held for parents on the first day of class to explain how lessons will run and to introduce the swim lesson instructors. All students will then enter the pool deck and be placed into their testing groups. Once testing is complete, each child will be placed into a specific group and receive a colored wristband identifying their current swim level.
